30 June 2014
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4
Welcome to the Crowe Horwath Perth Transparency Report .............................................. 5
Network of Australian & New Zealand offices ............................................................................................... 6
Message from the Audit & Assurance Leader ...................................................................... 7
Our Structure, Ownership and Governance ......................................................................... 8
Legal Structure .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Corporate Governance .................................................................................................................................. 8
Oversight of the Audit & Assurance Service Line .......................................................................................... 9
Our international affiliation with the Crowe Horwath International Network........................ 11
Legal Structure ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Forum of Firms ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Governance ................................................................................................................................................. 11
Membership ................................................................................................................................................. 12
Crowe Howarth International presence ....................................................................................................... 12
Our Internal Quality Control Structure ................................................................................ 13
Our People ................................................................................................................................................... 13
Client Acceptance and Continuance ........................................................................................................... 13
Our Audit Process ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Review and Consultation ............................................................................................................................. 15
Monitoring .................................................................................................................................................... 15
Our Independence and Ethics ........................................................................................... 16
External Regulation and review ......................................................................................... 16
ASIC ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Financial Information.......................................................................................................... 17
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Partner Remuneration........................................................................................................ 17
Internal Quality Control Effectiveness Statement ............................................................... 18
Our Public Interest Entity Client List .................................................................................. 20
Contact Us ......................................................................................................................... 21
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In June 2012, the Corporations Legislation Amendment (Audit Enhancement) Act was passed by the
Australian Parliament. It requires all audit firms conducting ten or more audits of listed or other Public
Interest Entities to publish an annual Transparency Report.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Corporations Amendment Regulation
2012 (No. 5) which requires the disclosure of certain information by audit firms, including information on the firm’s legal structure, network arrangements, quality control systems, and public interest entity clients. It covers the audit partnership of Crowe Horwath Perth, which is one of the constituent partnerships of the
Australian audit practice of Crowe Horwath Australasia Ltd (hereafter referred to as “the firm” or “Crowe
Horwath Australia”).
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Welcome to Crowe Horwath Perth’s annual transparency report which covers the financial year ending 30
June 2014.
The business environment in Australia remains challenging. While Australia’s economy has remained relatively robust among the G20, it has not been immune to the turbulence in global financial markets in recent years. This environment has resulted in an increased focus on the value of the audit, and its role in providing an insight for investors into the financial position and performance, and the associated risks, displayed in companies’ financial statements.
As a firm we pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity and our ability to provide excellent audit, tax, advisory and financial services. We have a public interest role as auditors, and, in performing that role, we recognise the importance of applying robust methodologies and appropriate professional scepticism in providing assurance to the marketplace.
We believe that transparency is a key to maintaining trust and confidence in the overall audit process. We see the production of this report as an extension of our core values.
I am confident that this report will emphasise our dedication to quality and continuous improvement.
As part of the broader Crowe Horwath Australian and International network we are proud to share this report with you.
Geoff Kidd
Chief Executive, Crowe Horwath Perth
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Member of the
9th largest global network
5 th
largest firm in
Australia and New Zealand
Over 3000 Principals and staff throughout Australia and New
Zealand
6
This is our second annual Transparency report following the amendments to Section 332 of the Corporations
Act in 2012. In that time, the role of audit has continued to be a topic of debate, both within the profession and among the wider public. We believe that confidence in the integrity and quality of the audit profession remains valuable, both in ensuring the effective functioning of capital markets, and in providing a high quality yet cost-effective service to our clients.
We continue to support efforts to maintain and enhance audit quality, both internally, and in partnership with other stakeholders, including investors, regulators, standard setters, and the public. We have constructively engaged with both local and international standard-setters in the project to enhance the value of the audit report. We recognise that society’s expectations of auditors are increasing, while, at the same time, we are being continually challenged by the increased complexity of globalised business.
Our firm has responded to this challenge. We have made, and will continue to make, a substantial investment in our people, our methodologies, and our quality control framework. This includes the implementation of a risk-based audit methodology, and a national training structure which equips our audit professionals with the tools, the skills, and the sceptical mindset that they require.
We believe that excellence in audit qualiy complements excellence in client service. Our structure allows us to ensure a high level of Partner involvement on audit engagements. The close involvement of our partners in client relationships ensures that we are able to bring the right level of experience and industry expertise to each engagement, and ensures that we can communicate and respond quickly to issues for all our clients.
This is supplemented by direct access to senior technical resources where appropriate.
I would like to invite all clients, audit committees, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to take this opportunity to gain an insight into our business, and how we continue deliver audit quality and exemplary service to our clients and stakeholders..
Sean McGurk
Head of Audit & Assurance, Crowe Horwath Perth
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The Crowe Horwath Perth audit partnership consists of a number of individuals and Crowe Horwath ( Aust)
which is an ASX listed company. The Australian operations of Crowe Horwath Australia sit within Crowe
within the Crowe Horwath Perth audit practice.
On 6 October, Crowe Horwath Australasia Ltd announced to the ASX that it had entered into a Scheme
Implementation Arrangement with Findex Australia Pty Ltd under which Findex proposes to acquire all of the shares in Crowe Horwath. The scheme is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, and, if approved, would be implemented in January 2015. At this stage, it is not expected to affect the branding or the structure of the Crowe Horwath Perth partnership.
As a listed company, the Board of Directors of Crowe Horwath Australasia Limited places great importance on achieving high standards of corporate governance. Accordingly, it operates within a set of corporate governance principles that take into account relevant best practice including the most current ASX Corporate
Governance Council’s Principles and Recommendations.
Further information on the Group’s corporate governance policies and practices can be found on its website at www.crowehorwath.com.au
under the Investors / Corporate Governance section.
The Board has appointed an Audit and Risk Committee whose role includes monitoring the effectiveness and integrity of the internal and external audit functions, and being a forum for communication between the
Board and the internal and external auditors, and safeguarding the independence of the internal and external auditors.
The Committee comprises independent, Non-Executive Directors of the Group. The Managing Director,
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer, the internal and external auditor also regularly attends Committee meeting by standing invitation. More information on the composition of the Committee and the qualifications of its members can be found within the Annual Report and on the Crowe Horwath Australasia website.
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Quality Control and Risk Management Steering Committee (“QC&RMSC”)
The QC&RMSC reports to the Audit and Risk Committee. Its key objectives are:
to ensure there is a comprehensive, effective and efficient compliance and risk management framework operating across the functional lines;
ensure that appropriate and effective systems of internal controls, risk management and compliance are in place;
monitor the effectiveness and integrity of internal service line sub committees and be a forum for communication between the Audit and Risk Committee and the service line committees; and
safeguard the independence of the service line committees.
The Committee meets quarterly and is comprised of the following officers:
Chief Risk Office (Chairman);
Head of Compliance;
Group Risk & Compliance Manager;
Nominated Firm Chief Executives ;
New Zealand Technical & Risk Manager;
The chair of each of the Service Line Committee.
The QC&RMSC will review and consider reports, ensure adequacy of actions being taken in relation to issues identified at the service line committees, ensure the sub committees are operating efficiently and without duplication; and assess the coverage of the existing service line committees for any gaps in the
Group’s risk management and the meeting of compliance requirements. The Crowe Horwath Perth Chief
Executive is a member of the QC&RMSC.
Perth Risk Group (“PRG”)
The Crowe Horwath Perth Risk Group is made up of representatives from each service line in the Perth firm, including the audit service line. The PRG’s objectives mirror those of the QC&RMSC at a local level. The
PRG meets at least six times each year.
Audit & Assurance Group (“AAG”)
The Audit & Assurance Group is charged with oversight responsibility for audit quality and compliance structures and initiatives across the Audit & Assurance service line.
The AAG is comprised of the chair, and one representative from each of our six regions (Queensland, New
South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, and New Zealand) and the Chief Risk Officer. The
AAG elects a Chair who is subject to re-election every two years. The Chair is responsible for communicating the AAG’s activities to the QC&RMSC. Crowe Horwath Perth is represented on the AAG by the head of the service line.
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The AAG meets at least monthly in order to address issues relating to audit quality and risk management, as well as strategy, business development and financial performance. Our audit technical team reports to the
AAG.
The AAG’s responsibilities include:
Developing and maintaining the Group’s audit methodology
Oversight of the internal quality control review process
Development of a standardised approach to training
Risk management over high risk audit engagements
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Crowe Horwath Australia is a member of the Crowe Horwath International network of firms (“Crowe Horwath
International”). Crowe Horwath International is considered a “network” as defined under the Code of Ethics of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and by virtue of its membership of the Forum of Firms.
Crowe Horwath International is an international network of independently owned and managed accounting and advisory firms that may be licensed to use the “Crowe Horwath” or “Horwath” brand in connection with the provision of accounting, auditing, tax, advisory and other professional services to their clients. Crowe
Horwath Australasia Ltd is a member of Crowe Horwath International, a Swiss verein. Each member firm of
Crowe Horwath is a separate and independent legal entity. Liability limited by a scheme approved under
Professional Standards Legislation other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees.
Crowe Horwath International is a member of the Forum of Firms of the International Federation of
Accountants. Members of the Forum are required to implement and monitor quality control standards that the
Forum has prepared. We prepare an annual declaration that our members adhere to the Forum’s standards.
Crowe Horwath International is run by a Board of Directors which appoints a Chief Executive Officer. The
Board of Crowe Horwath International is primarily elected by member firms, and members serve for a period of two years after which they retire but may be re-elected.
The Board of Directors is charged with overseeing the activities of the network, and has supervisory responsibility for the governance of Crowe Horwath International which includes ensuring there are appropriate quality assurance procedures in place in member firms.
Crowe Horwath International is separated into three geographic regions: Europe Middle-East and Africa
(EMEA), the Americas, and Asia-Pacific (of which Crowe Horwath Australia is a member). Each region has an appointed Regional Director who reports to the Board of Directors. When working together with other members of the network, Crowe Horwath Australia usually operates under a professional services agreement, however for audit work respective firms act on their own as principals.
There are a number of committees chaired by partners in member firms in areas such as Audit and
Accounting, International Tax, Corporate Finance and Risk & Valuation. Partners from Crowe Horwath
Australia take an active part in these committees. In addition, they also participate in training and other events, both as attendees and as presenters.
Crowe Horwath International has a system of audit quality monitoring in place and Crowe Horwath Australia is subject to a periodic audit quality assurance review.
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Crowe Horwath International has developed a minimum set of criteria against which both existing member firms and potential new applicants for membership are benchmarked. These criteria include:
A culture focused on conduct of professional services in adherence to the highest standards of quality, and in accordance with national and international standards on ethics
Appropriate technical qualifications, including membership of a recognized professional body
Commitment to adopt and to continuously build awareness of a common global brand
Member firms conducting assurance engagements must maintain a system of quality control in accordance with IFAC’s International Standard on Quality Control (ISQC 1), and must adopt Crowe
Horwath International Audit Methodology
Member firms should be recognised within professional circles in their country as a “leader in the profession.” Leadership is measured in terms of technical excellence, specialties, involvement of the partners in civic, professional and community activities, size, image and clientele.
Crowe Horwath International Statistics as of December 2013
Member Firms & Business Associates
Countries
Offices
Partners
Partners & Staff
Revenue
191
118
684
3,352
29,414
USD $3.2B
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Audit quality is integral to the work we do, and supports our objective of delivering a high quality and seamless service to our clients. Our values are built around this objective, and based on a strong “tone at the top” from our key leadership team.
The key elements of our internal control system for audit quality are:
The firm’s leadership, which promotes a culture that recognises audit quality
Operation within a professional and regulated environment and compliance with professional ethical requirements
Risk management policies that are used for the acceptance and continuance of audit clients
The firm’s provision of adequate resources and policies to address issues such as recruitment, performance evaluation, capabilities, competence, career development, promotion and compensation
The provision of tools, training and guidance to ensure audit engagements are performed in accordance with professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements, and that audit reports issued are appropriate
A system of quality control to monitor the effectiveness of our procedures.
Our people demonstrate both high standards of technical competency and commitment to the firm’s values and ethical standards. We annually survey all staff and include a question relating directly to ethical standards to ensure we are tracking performance on this measure.
In order to ensure that these standards are met, we provide our staff with comprehensive training and development opportunities, including:
A structured national audit training programme which is designed to provide all team members with both technical and soft-skills training appropriate to their level of experience
Local office-based or web-based courses focusing on topical subjects or specific areas of expertise
An Audit Alert process to ensure that staff are kept informed of technical and regulatory developments
Participation at Crowe Horwath International conferences and events
Graduate recruits are expected to study for professional qualifications with either the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in Australia, or CPA Australia. Successful completion of professional exams is taken into account in making decisions about promotion and remuneration. All Audit and assurance staff are expected to complete at least 120 hours of continuing professional education over a three year cycle, with a minimum of 20 hours in each year.
Our client acceptance and continuance process is instrumental in ensuring that we only take on engagements where we have the competence and capacity to deliver the standard of work which our clients expect, and that we can comply with our ethical and independence obligations. It also ensures that we accept only clients who share our values of integrity and ethical behaviour.
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Our client acceptance process includes risk assessment process, which considers the client’s risk profile, the nature of its operations, its ownership structure, and the background of its directors and key management. It also considers independence-related matters, including financial interests and any non-audit services provided.
Certain clients may be considered to have an increased level of risk, either because they are Public Interest
Entities, or because specific non-standard risks are identified during the acceptance process. Examples of such risks may include complex transactions, or material operations within emerging markets. Crowe
Horwath Australia maintains a High Risk Register of all such clients. The High Risk Register is overseen by the Audit & Assurance Group (AAG), and all clients on the register are subject to an Engagement Quality
Control Review.
As a member of the Crowe Horwath network we apply Crowe Horwath International’s Audit Methodology.
This provides us with a consistent, high-quality approach across the global network. It ensures compliance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and with other relevant professional and ethical requirements.
Our audit methodology adopts a risk-based approach, which relies on developing an in-depth understanding of the entity under audit, its risks, and the controls in place to manage those risks. This allows us to develop a tailored response to each issue identified, and to ensure that all material risks of misstatement are appropriately mitigated. Our understanding of the business and audit risks of our clients is developed through various procedures, including:
Extensive communication and discussion with management and those charged with governance throughout the year
Assessing risk for each financial statement component and assertion
Use of data analytics and ratio analysis to drill down into client’s data and ensure our testing approach is targeted effectively
An approach that analyses our clients’ processes and controls against each risk identified, allowing us to focus on key risk areas and also to identify opportunities for our clients to improve their internal control
Use of computer-assisted audit techniques, and assessment of our client’s information technology environment to ensure that the benefits and risks of increased automation within financial reporting systems is incorporated into our audit process
Our audit work programmes include compulsory schedules dedicated to ethical and independence requirements to ensure that these areas are considered at set stages on all audit engagements.
Our audit software is supplemented by our audit manual, which is based on Crowe Horwath International’s global audit manual. Supplementary material is then provided by our local technical team to ensure that specific Australian legal and regulatory requirements are addressed.
All audit staff and partners have access to a full library of technical reference materials on accounting and audit matters.
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Our audit and assurance policies include detailed requirements in respect of the timely review of audit work performed. The nature, timing and extent of review depend on the level of audit risk and complexity associated with the client that is under review, and the experience of the engagement team member.
The firm has in place a set of policies which indicates when an Engagement Quality Control Review (EQCR) by a second partner is required. There are schedules in the firm’s audit work programs covering the responsibilities and conclusions of the engagement quality control review partner. Our review policies go beyond the requirements of law and professional regulation, and are a key element of our system of internal quality control. EQCR’s are involved throughout the entire audit process and their role is not limited to a review immediately prior to completion of the engagement.
All EQCRs are performed by audit partners, and we do not permit reviewers to delegate the performance of this responsibility to any other member of staff.
All partners and other team members are encouraged to consult with peers and subject matter experts on complex or contentious issues. Our Accounting & Audit technical team contains experienced professionals who are able to support the engagement team by offering specialized knowledge and advice on accounting, auditing, ethical or regulatory matters. We have a consultation requirement in place for modified audit opinions.
Engagement teams also have access to specialist resources when required. Specialists may be used in complex areas such as information technology, valuation, or taxation. We also have access to a global set of specialist skills through our membership of the Crowe Horwath International network.
We have an annual peer review process which allows us to gain assurance that our quality control systems are operating effectively. This is a key component of our overall audit quality, and allows us to drive a culture of continuous improvement in audit quality.
The audit peer review process is overseen by the AAG, and is conducted using carefully defined procedures by a small group of experienced reviewers.
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Crowe Horwath Australia has developed policies and process in order to ensure compliance with the independence standards applicable to each engagement undertaken. These standards include those issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (APES) in Australia, and the International
Ethical Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).
Crowe Horwath Australia maintains a comprehensive Risk Management Manual which is available to all
Principals/Partners and staff via our intranet. This manual includes guidance on financial interests in audit clients, business relationships, fee arrangements, rotation requirements, and the provision of non-audit services to audit clients. A listing of restricted clients in which Principals/Partners and staff may be restricted from holding financial interests is also maintained on the firm’s intranet.
Prior to acceptance of any new client, conflict checks are carried out within the firm and the Crowe Horwath
International network as necessary.
Our procedures require any partner or member of staff to notify the firm immediately should any matters touching upon independence or ethical requirements arise. In addition, each partner and member of staff completes annually a set of compliance statements, including an Independence declaration, a fit and proper form, and a statement of confidentiality.
Compliance with our independence procedures is reviewed internally each year as part of our quality reviews.
Crowe Horwath Australia is subject to oversight and periodic inspection by the Australian Securities and
Investments Commission (ASIC). We may also be subject to inspection by other regulators.
ASIC
As part of its oversight of the audit profession within Australia, ASIC undertakes periodic inspections of auditors in Australia which include Crowe Horwath Australia. We welcome an ongoing dialogue with ASIC and believe that an effective and independent regulator is an important part of Australia’s financial reporting framework.
Further details of ASIC’s audit inspection programme, together with its publicly issued reports, can be found on ASIC’s website at www.asic.gov.au
.
Other Regulators
As a member of the Crowe Horwath International network, we are subject to periodic inspection by Crowe
Horwath International. The most recent inspection occurred in April 2012.
Both the Group and individual Principals/Partners within Crowe Horwath Australia may be subject to review by professional bodies such as the ICAA or CPA Australia, in accordance with their standard inspection program for professional practitioners.
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As an ASX listed company, Crowe Horwath Australasia provides financial information to the market in accordance with our statutory reporting and continuous disclosure obligations. This information is available from the website under the Investors section.
Year ended 30 June 2014
Revenue relating to the audits of financial statements
$’000
4.1m
Revenue for other service lines 14.6m
Total Revenue - Perth
Revenue of other Crowe Horwath
Australasia firms
18.7m
387.2m
Total Revenue – Crowe Horwath
Australasia
394.0m
While our Partners are members of the Crowe Horwath Perth audit partnership, they are remunerated as employees of Crowe Horwath Australia.
Partners remuneration includes the following elements:
Base salary
Short term incentives (STI’s)
Our Partners base salary is determined in consultation with the Managing Director on an annual basis..
STI’s are performance-based remuneration, which is calculated based on various financial and non-financial measures. For audit and assurance Partners, audit quality is one of the benchmarks used in measuring performance.
No element of Partner, or audit staff remuneration is directly related to the provision of non-audit services to audit clients.
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Crowe Horwath Perth’s internal quality control system supporting the audit service line is designed to provide reasonable assurance that audit engagements performed by Crowe Horwath Perth comply with applicable legal, regulatory and professional requirements.
The results of our quality review programme, and other internal monitoring, in conjunction with the policies, set out in this report, provide reasonable assurance that our internal quality control system supporting the audit service line was operating effectively for the year ended 30 June 2014.
Sean McGurk
Head of Audit & Assurance, Crowe Horwath Perth
Geoff Kidd
Chief Executive, Crowe Horwath Perth
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Listed clients as at 30 June 2014 of Crowe Horwath Perth
AppLabs Holdings Limited
Accent Resources
Altura Mining Limited
Blackgold International Holdings Ltd
Carnarvon Petroleum NL
Carnegie Wave Energy Limited
Dragon Mountain Gold Limited
Encounter Resources Limited
Energia Minerals Limited
Intercept Minerals Limited
Malagasy Minerals Limited
Oncosil Limited
Pacific Energy Ltd
Viento Group Limited
Ephraim Resources Limited
Western Areas NL
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Perth Office
Level 6, 256 St Georges Terrace
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Australia
Tel +61 8 9481 1448
Fax +61 8 9481 0152 www.crowehorwath.com.au
Corporate Office
Level 17,
181William Street,
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Australia
Tel +61 3 9522 0888
Fax +61 3 9522 0899 www.crowehorwath.com.au
About Crowe Horwath International
Crowe Horwath is ranked among the top 10 global accounting networks with more than 150 independent accounting and advisory services in over 100 countries around the world. The member firms of Crowe
Horwath International are committed to building lasting relationships with clients, focusing on understanding the client's perspective, the client's needs and the goals of the client. The results are innovative business solutions in audit, tax, risk and advisory designed for the unique needs of the client, solutions that improve performance, enhance shareholder value and build client competitiveness. Each firm is well-established as a leader in its national business community and is staffed by nationals, thereby providing a knowledge of local laws and customs which is important to clients undertaking new ventures or expanding into other countries.
Through our highly integrated global network of member firms with broad technical expertise and deep local market knowledge, Crowe Horwath provides consistent quality and impeccable service to diverse clientele throughout the world.
Version – 001
Dated : 28 June 2014